On this page you will find two tables comparing features of the reference managers RefWorks, EndNote, Zotero and Mendeley as well as their potential advantages and disadvantages. There is also a video at the bottom of the page, which runs through the main features of reference managers and considers the issues to think about when choosing a reference manager.
The comparison of the reference managers is intended to help you choose which you would like to use. If you have any questions, email the reference management team.
|
RefWorks
|
EndNote
|
EndNote online
|
Zotero
|
Mendeley
|
|
|
Availability |
Web-based Free via university subscription (including alumni) |
Desktop Version 21 available to download for free through IT Services for your personal PC or Mac iPad App available on iTunes store. |
Web-based Free |
Web browser extension, desktop and mobile app. Freely available |
Web, desktop and mobile app. Freely available |
|
Word processor compatibility |
MS Word Google Docs
|
MS Word Google Docs Apache OpenOffice LibreOffice Pages Wolfram Mathematica 8 |
MS Word
|
MS Word OpenOffice/LibreOffice Google Docs |
MS Word LibreOffice
|
|
Captures from pdf documents and webpages? |
Yes ('Save To Refworks' browser plugin available in the 'Tools' section) |
Yes (webpages require download of plug in) |
Yes ('Capture Reference' tool) To install it, open EndNote Online, go to 'Downloads' and click on 'Capture Reference')
|
Yes |
Yes |
|
Captures webpage snapshots? |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Citation / bibliography styles |
List of citation styles in RefWorks New styles can also be created.
|
3,300+
|
List of citation styles in Zotero
|
||
|
Sharing / collaboration |
Share references with groups
Instructions on how to share folders of references in RefWorks |
Share references with groups EndNote guidance on how to share references in different versions of the software |
Share references with groups Instructions on how to share groups in EndNote Online
|
Share references with groups |
Share references and notes with groups Academic social network |
February 2024
|
|
RefWorks
|
EndNote
|
EndNote online
|
Zotero
|
Mendeley
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Pros |
Large number of citation styles University subscription provides free access for University members including alumni Access your library from any computer with an internet connection Supports MS Word and Google Docs Unlimited storage |
Institutional subscription provides free access for University members Copes well with a very large library iPad App Large number of citation styles Journal abbreviation recognition Word Processor plug in compatible with MS Word, Google Docs, Apache OpenOffice and Pages |
Works very well with Web of Science / Web of Knowledge |
iPad/iPhone/Android apps Useful tools for creating references from websites Extend functionality using plug-ins. |
iPad/iPhone/Android apps Social networking Collaborative pdf annotation / notes
|
|
Cons |
Very limited offline access Not compatible with Libre/Open Office |
Not compatible with Linux |
Word processor plug-in not compatible with Linux
|
Limited free storage space (300 MB) |
Syncing of desktop application to web account NOT automatic Limited free storage space (2 GB) |
February 2024
The video below is the introductory presentation for the iSkills workshop 'Choosing and Using Software for Referencing' and runs through the main features of reference managers and considers the issues to think about when choosing a reference manager.
Click the upward facing arrow at the bottom of the video to see the contents.